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GAP Commercialization Investment Program

The FSU Office of Commercialization is accepting applications for the Fall 2022 GAP Commercialization Investment competition, sponsored by the FSU Office of Research.

Date: December 01, 2022
Location: Augustus B Turnbull Conference Center
Time: 8:00 A.M.

Detailed information on the Fall 2022 Grant Assistance Program (GAP) can be found below. If you are interested in participating, please contact your respective Licensing Manager: Brent Edington at bedington@fsu.edu, Michael Tentnowski at mtentnowski@fsu.edu, Reis Alsberry at rdalsberry@fsu.edu, or Garrett Edmunds at gedmunds@fsu.edu.

Important Dates

  • Pre-proposal submission (electronic):Sept. 30, 2022 by 5 p.m. 
    • NOTE: The pre-proposal is a two- to three-page executive summary.  If accepted, you will be invited to submit a full proposal.
  • Approved pre-proposals announced: October 13, 2022
  • Final proposals due (electronic): November 10, 2022 by 5 p.m.
  • Review of PowerPoint presentations: November 16, 17, & 18 
  • Final presentations to GAP committee: December 1, 2022
  • GAP winners announced on or before December 14, 2022

Program Description

The GAP Program is designed to support enhancements of inventions or other original works that have been disclosed to FSU. It funds projects that will quickly improve the odds that important research leads to a commercially viable new product or service.

The FSU Research Foundation has allocated funds under this program to invest in technology projects that transforms ongoing research into promising business opportunities.

GAP projects should reach completion within a year. Extensions are not granted, unless significant justification for incomplete projects are approved. Funded tasks will be performed under the supervision of the proposing faculty member; but may include third party efforts within or outside the University. The investments will be funded to meet project objectives. Investment funds may be used to pay labor expenses, or to obtain materials, services, and assistance outside the University; investments may not be used for student tuition or Principal Investigator(s) and faculty salaries. Overhead charges should not be included in project investment requests. Strong preference will be given to projects with timelines indicating less than one year, ones with regular milestones, ones with external participation, and for those requesting funding that is less than $50,000.

The purpose of the GAP investment program is to prepare technology for commercialization, not as a mechanism to fund students, postdoctoral fellows, or for basic research.  

Proposal Preparation

The GAP program is a two-step process. The first step is to complete a pre-proposal submission outlining specific ideas for GAP funding. The pre-proposal is reviewed by non-University panel. If the pre-proposal is selected to participate in creating a full GAP proposal, you will be asked to submit a final proposal.

Required Elements of a GAP Nomination

1.  A two- to three-page (max.) pre-proposal

2. If pre-proposal is accepted, a full GAP proposal that includes:

  • Biography of a Principal Investigator (PI)
  • A description of the problem to be solved
  • Novel technology (include a solution using the technology)
  • Potential solution(s)
  • Picture/diagram of the potential product (optional)
  • Description of the market (include market size & competition)
  • A work plan and timeline (less than one year preferred)
  • Budget breakdown
  • Letters of interest from potential commercial partners (optional)
  • Discussion with Licensing Manager about IP Protection

3. PowerPoint Presentation (10-minute limit)
    Note: Presentations will not be made to the GAP committee unless IP Protection is secured.

4. Participation in a "practice" presentation 

5. Presentation to the GAP committee

Important Information and Documents

GAP FAQs

Pre-Proposal Form

Pre-Proposal Example

Proposal Example 1

Proposal Example 2

GAP Presentation Guidelines

Evaluation, Awards and Reports

Initial review and comments will be provided by the Office of Commercialization.

Competitive review and funding recommendations will be provided by a committee which is chaired by an FSURF board member and includes outside business members. Final approval will be made by the FSU Research Foundation Board of Directors.

Once funded, the faculty member and key personnel will report project progress and accomplishments at their scheduled milestones.

At completion, a Final Report will be provided within 30 days and a brief Annual Status Report will be required for 3 years to assist in evaluating the GAP program and determining its direct and indirect benefits to FSU, including new products, new companies, new services, and new related federal or other external grants.

GAP Committee

  • Stacey Patterson
    Vice President for Research
  • Eric Holmes
    Assistant Vice President for Research
  • Chris Eldred
    President, Teligent EMS
  • Kim Williams
    President, Marpan Supply Co., Inc.
  • Don Rosenkoetter
    Managing Director, Co-Investment Partnership, LLC
  • Kay Stephenson, GAP Committee Chair
    President and CEO, Datamaxx Group
  • Steve Evans
    Former Executive, IBM
  • Steve Roden
    Chief Executive Officer, Guy Harvey Enterprises
  • Charles Ranson
    International Trade and Development Consultant
  • Chris Rumana
    Retired Physician

Previous GAP Awards

Program Contact

Submit electronic pre-proposals, proposals, and PowerPoint slides to:
Michael Tentnowski
Office of Commercialization
Florida State University
95 Chieftan Way, Dittmer Suite 312
Tallahassee, FL 32306-4391
(850) 645-2143
mtentnowski@fsu.edu